Storage vessel
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd.
InventorDavid Halley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A storage vessel for storing grain or other natural products comprises a gas-impermeable enclosure having a water-vapour-permeable membrane to allow the grain to breath and dry, and to prevent condensation and mould growth. The membrane is impermeable to oxygen gas to allow a reduced oxygen atmosphere (e.g. 3 to 7%) to be established as oxygen is used up by insect pests within the grain. The insects are unable to survive at such low levels of oxygen. Thus the grain is protected against pests without the use of chemical pesticides.
Claims14
A closed storage vessel for storing moisture-containing product in a controlled environment surrounded by an external atmosphere and for allowing said stored product to become dried by loss of moisture therefrom, which comprises:
- a gas-impermeable enclosure for storing and drying the product, the enclosure comprising a membrane, said membrane being gas-impermeable such as to resist ingress of oxygen-containing gas from said surrounding external atmosphere, said membrane being water-vapour-permeable to enable passage of water-vapour from said product in the enclosure through said membrane such as to allow water-vapour to escape from the enclosure and to enable the product to be dried;
- - means for recirculating gas within the enclosure for assisting drying of the product;
- and;
- - the enclosure having means for providing an upstanding wall and a sealable inlet for introducing the product.
A closed storage vessel for storing and drying perishable agricultural produce in which the vessel is located outdoors in the open atmosphere, which comprises:
- a waterproof gas-impermeable base on which produce can be loaded;
- a flexible membrane for covering said produce, said membrane being gas-impermeable to the extent that it prevents ingress of oxygen-containing gas from said surrounding external atmosphere, said membrane being water-vapour-permeable so as to enable passage of water-vapour from said produce in the enclosure through said membrane so as to allow the produce to be dried;
- means for recirculating gas within the enclosure for assisting drying of the produce;
- means for affixing said flexible membrane to said base in a waterproof, gas-impermeable manner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.